Page 222 of The Moon Sister
‘You’ve told her then?’
‘Yes.’
‘I thought we’d agreed we’d speak to her together?’
‘We did, yes, but I’m afraid she’d realised something was up and demanded to know what.’
‘Why didn’t you call me?’ Ulrika’s lovely blue eyes flared with anger. ‘I could have been here in ten minutes, as you well know! Don’t lie to me, Charlie – you wanted to make sure you got your side of the story in first so she’d feel sorry for you!’
‘Who do I feel sorry for?’
We all jumped as Zara’s wan face appeared at the Great Room door. She crossed her arms belligerently. ‘Hello, Mum, hello, Fraser. How nice to see you.’
‘Zara, darling, I’m so, so sorry.’ Ulrika crossed to her daughter and tried to take her in her arms, but Zara resisted.
‘Leave me alone, Mum! I can’t believe you’ve broughthimwith you.’
‘Hah, that’s just perfect,’ Ulrika snarled, pointing to me, ‘whensheis standing there, holding your father’s hand, as bold as brass, inmyhouse. You do know, Zara, that she and your father have been having an affair for months, don’t you?’
‘Don’t be ridiculous, Ulrika,’ Charlie snapped. He moved in front of me protectively. ‘Tiggy’s done nothing wrong. In fact, both of us should be grateful to her for being there for Zara during all this.’
‘Yes, I’m sure she’s an angel and I don’t expect you to admit what you’ve done,’ Ulrika spat. ‘It’s always me that’s the bad guy. Well, this time I just won’t have it!’
‘I should go,’ I muttered, feeling my cheeks heating up.
‘No, Tiggy, I want you to stay,’ said Zara, walking across to me and taking my hand. ‘Even if Dad and you have been shagging like rabbits forever, I don’t really care!’
I opened my mouth to protest, but then shut it again as Charlie did the protesting for me.
‘Oh for God’s sake! For the last time, Tiggy and I have not been having an affair. Now could we please get out of the nursery and act like the grown-ups we are?’
‘He’s lying, Zara,’ Ulrika sighed, ‘but whatever. She’s obviously turned you against me, and after all I’ve done for you, I . . .’ She turned to Fraser, who was yet to add anything to the conversation, and buried her face in his chest. ‘I just want my little girl back,’ she wailed.
‘Yeah, right, Mum. The problem is, that your little girl disappeared years ago. I’m an adult now, remember?’
‘Okay, okay,’ Charlie intervened. ‘Can we all calm down, please. Zara, I’m sure your mum does want to talk to you and explain. Why don’t the rest of us leave you alone for a while?’
‘I’m not talking to Mum withhimaround.’ Zara indicated the silent bulk of Fraser.
‘I’ll leave you to it then.’ Fraser nodded at Charlie, dropped his hands from Ulrika’s shoulders and, putting on his hat, turned towards the door. ‘I’ll be outside waiting for you in the car, okay?’
At that moment, a shaft of sunlight hit him, creating a shadow along the floor. And I saw the very specific shape of his hat outlined on the new carpet that Ulrika had recently had laid.
Oh my God. . . I muttered internally, staggering a little in shock as Charlie propelled me towards the door.
‘Don’t leave the house, will you?’ Zara asked us.
‘We’ll be in the kitchen, okay?’ Charlie replied.
‘Okay.’
I watched Fraser march out along the corridor, slamming the back door behind him, then I followed Charlie into the kitchen and shut the door firmly.
I only realised I’d been holding my breath for ages as I let it out and took in some deep gulps of air.
‘You okay, Tiggy? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.’ Charlie switched the kettle on then turned to me as I sat down heavily on a chair, panting.
‘Maybe I have.’
